The article narrates a personal journey of learning and unlearning the images in school textbooks, its uses potentials and challenges as experienced by the author. It reflects upon the experiences of the process of selection of these images within the context of political science as a discipline. These experiences have been formed over a decade…

In this rejoinder to "Let's Burn Them All: Reflections on the Learning-Inhibitory Nature of Introduction to Management and Introduction to Organizational Behavior Textbooks," by Robert A. Snyder (see EJ1039748), Lisa Burke-Smalley touches upon a number of Snyder's claims and explores questions sparked by his essay. She argues…

This article offers a transcript of author Allan Rossman's interview with Jessica Utts, Professor and Chair of Statistics at the University of California-Irvine. Utts is also a Fellow of the American Statistical Association and a recipient of a Founders Award from ASA. Additionally, she has been elected as President of ASA for the year 2016. The…

During the past 30 years, the author has worked with children and young adults from ages 3 to 18 (not to mention teachers, families, administrators, lecturers, and visiting authors), and she has read a lot of books. Because there are so many kids' books being published these days, she is not expecting total perfection. Still, there are many things…

This article presents an interview with H. Craig Heller, a professor of Biological Sciences (in Humanities and Sciences) at Stanford University. In this interview, Heller talks about an interesting course he has taught at Stanford called "Exercise Physiology" and what he likes about it. What is unique about this course is that in laboratory, the…

Discusses the forces that have caused college textbooks to differ only in style rather than in content. States that publishers are afraid to move out of the mainstream because of conservative professors who resist change. Concludes that innovation is restricted to trivial details and is usually used to "dress up" an old book. (GEA)

Describes how the author of "Molly's Pilgrim" struggled to retain the religious references in her story when it was adapted for a grade school reading textbook. (KH)

Focusing on areas of contention, the author responds to "Principles of Economics Textbooks: Innovation and Product Differentiation" by Stiglitz. Contends that Stiglitz's description of principles textbooks is insufficient, states that the textbook market is more oligopolistic than monopolistic, and cautions writers against deleting parts…

Defines developmental editing as more than copy editing but less than actually writing the book. Explains how a developmental editor can assist textbook authors in developing a book's structure and writing style. Discusses some aspects of a career as a developmental editor. (DDR)

Responding to "Observations on the Use of Textbooks in the Teaching of Principles of Economics," Dolan agrees with Boskin's appraisal of textbooks. Explains why texts share common faults and proposes possible means of alleviating them. Examines five constraints on textbook writers, stating that by changing them, authors can change their…

Discusses the problems presented by current principles of economics textbooks, proposing two theses: that the market for principles textbooks is one of monopolistic competition, and that it reflects certain market failures. Examines changes that are needed so that textbooks will reflect more adequately important changes in the economy and economic…

Discusses the form and function of anthologies by distinguishing three "orders" of anthology, together with a fourth, or preliminary category, within a broadly simplified model of the anthological process. (HOD)

Argues that every year countless college professors are financially and professionally damaged and deceived by editors offering textbook contracts. (MM)

Flower defends her book "Problem-Solving Strategies for Writing," stating that contrary to Petrosky's interpretation, it does not take an out-moded, logical positivist view of communication theory that treats thought as an object to be transferred while ignoring the constructivist nature of both reading and writing. (HTH)

Proposes use of prepublication student evaluations of textbooks. Feedback from students helps to improve comprehensibility and interest and is most useful when done on a chapter-by-chapter basis using a systematic evaluation procedure. (Author/KC)